Spring loader traction increasing apparatus

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a device for placing reaction load on heavy duty equipment to maintain the required traction, and, more particularly, to a spring loader apparatus connectable between a support base and a machine device to provide the downward counterbalancing force needed in cutting- and grinding-type operations. Still, more specifically, this invention relates to a spring loader apparatus connectable to a heavy duty machine including an attachment frame connected to a machine; a main housing connected to the attachment frame having a roller member engageable with an anchored support base; a spring member mounted within the main housing to bias the roller member upwardly against the support base; and a cam assembly engageable with the spring member to achieve a load on the spring member in order to bias the heavy duty machine downwardly usable, for example, in grinding and/or cutting operations on a concrete slab or the like.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Cordis W. Jones Salina, Kans. [2]] Appl. No. 715,738 [22] Filed Mar. 25,1968 [45] Patented Feb. 2, 1971 [73] Assignee Hastings Dynamold Corporation Hastings, Nebr. a corporation of Nebraska [54] SPRING LOADER TRACTION INCREASING APPARATUS 5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl. 105/73, 74/107, 94/39, 105/30 [51] Int. Cl ..B6lc 11/00, B61c 15/00; F010 23/06 [50] Field ofSearch 74/102, 104, 107; 94/39, 4.4, 45; 105/30, 73

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 468,860 2/1892 Wright 105/30 938,490 11/1909 Kintner 105/30 1,024,084 4/1912 Kintner 105/30 1,102,435 7/ 1914 Powers 94/45 Primary Examiner-Arthur L. La Point Asrismnt Examiner-l-Ioward Beltran Attorneys-John H. Widdowson and Phillip A. Rein ABSTRACT: This invention relates to a device for placing reaction load on heavy duty equipment to maintain the required traction, and, more particularly, to a spring loader apparatus connectable between a support base and a machine device to provide the downward counterbalancing force needed in cuttingand grinding-type operations. Still, more specifically, this invention relates to a spring loader apparatus connectable to a heavy duty machine including an attachment frame connected to a machine; a main housing connected to the attachment frame having a roller member engageable with an anchored support base; a spring member mounted within the main housing to bias the roller member upwardly against the support base; and a cam assembly engageable with the spring member to achieve a load on the spring member in order to bias the heavy duty machine downwardly usable, for example, in grinding and/or cutting operations on a concrete slab or the like.

PATEN-TED FEB2 I97! SHEET 1 OF '2 INVENTOR.

CORDIS W. JONES ATTORNEYS II-IPATENTEDFEBZ I97! 3,559, 87

SHEEI 2 BF 2 III INVENTOR CORDIS W. JONES ATTORNEYS SPRING LOADER TRACTION INCREASING APPARATUS It has been noted in the prior art devices that to achieve a reaction force against a material being worked upon it is the practice to make the machine mechanism of such a great size and weight so that a mere bulk of the same provides a reaction force to keep it from lifting off the working surface. The same type of application is found in the use of conventional locomotive trains whereupon the traction between the track rails and the train itself is obtained by the great weight which is costly and creates additional problems. None of the prior art devices provide a simple apparatus for attaching to a support surface to apply a pulldown force in order to achieve the same function as the use of large size and weight to provide the proper reaction force. Additionally, the prior art devices are not operable in a simplified matter to place a load upon a machine mechanism to provide the required reaction force.

In one embodiment of the loader apparatus of this invention, a pair of spaced, rigidly anchored guide rails are provided adapted to receive a machinemechanism thereon for movement along a given path. A plurality of spring loader apparatus are secured to the machine mechanism and attachable to the respective guide rails in order to provide a downward reaction force thereagainst. More specifically, each spring loader apparatus includes an attachment frame connected to the machine mechanism; a main housing pivotally connected to the attachment frame; a spring housing mounted within the main housing having a compression spring therein; a roller member connected to the spring housing engageable with the underside of the guide rails; and a cam assembly mounted on the main housing and engageable with the spring housing operable to regulate the force of the compression spring. The cam assembly includes a tension rod having a plate at the lower end thereof engageable with the bottom end of the compression spring and the upper end of the tension rod extended through the top plate of the main housing having a lock nut thereon. The opp'osite end of the compression spring engages a compression plate of the spring housing to force the spring housing and interconnected roller member upwardly into engagement with the respective guide rails. The cam assembly includes a yokemember mounted by shafts to the main housing supporting cam members mounted therebetween engageable with the top surface of the compression plate. The yoke member is movable from vertical to a substantial horizontal position to rotate the cam members to cause a downward movement of the spring housing and interconnected roller member so that the same may be pivoted outwardly of the attachment frame for releasing the same from the respective guide rails. A special T-bolt member is provided mountable through aligned flanges on the main housing and through a hole in the machine mechanism to anchor the entire spring loader apparatus in the vertical position during usage.

One object of this invention is to provide a spring loader apparatus overcoming the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art devices.

One further object of this invention is to provide a spring loader apparatus attachable to any given machine mechanism requiring a reaction force against an article being worked upon to keep the same from being lifted therefrom and can be readily adjustable to achieve the reaction force required.

Still, one other object of this invention is to provide a spring loader apparatus attachable to a machine mechanism engageable with anchored guide rails to provide a reaction force thereagainst through the use of a cam and compression spring assembly.

Another object of this invention is to provide a spring loader apparatus to provide a required reaction force in a machine mechanism that is simple to assemble, positive and reliable in operation requiring minimum maintenance, and economical to manufacture.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following discussion, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a machine mechanism having spring loader apparatus of this invention mounted thereon;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view having portions of the machine mechanism broken away to clearly illustrate a spring loader apparatus of this invention connected to the machine mechanism and a support guide rail;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating the spring loader apparatus of this invention in the biasing released condition;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating the spring loader apparatus of this invention in the detached condition;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view taken I along line 7-7 in FIG. 6 having portions broken away for clarity illustrating the specific cam structure of the spring loader apparatus of this invention.

The following is a discussion and description of preferred specific embodiments of the new spring loader apparatus of this invention, such being made with reference to the drawings, whereupon the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/or structure. It is to be understood that such discussion and description is not to unduly limit the scope of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail and in particular to FIG. I, a slab planer mechanism 12 is illustrated as mounted for longitudinal movement on a pair of parallel guide rails 14 and 15. The slab planer mechanism 12 is provided with a control panel 17 to operate a drive mechanism 19 connected to spaced .wheels 21 preferably for movement on top of an upper flange 23 of the guide rails 14 and 15. The slab planer mechanism 12 concrete slab 25 formed therebetween as by a slipformer mechanism described in applicants copending application, entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD OF FORMING CON- TINUOUS PRESTRESSED CONCRETE SLABS, Ser. No.

587,04l, filed Oct. 17, 1966 now Pat. No. 3,475,800. This invention relates to spring loader apparatus 27 only one of which is illustrated in FIG. 1 wherein, preferably, one of the spring loader apparatus 27 is mounted on each corner of the planer mechanism 12. As will become obvious, the spring loader apparatus 27 are used to apply downward component forces on the slab planer mechanism 12 so that a grinder, cutting blade, or the like may be used in a working operation on the concrete slab 25 with the spring loader apparatus 27 providing a reaction working force thereagainst.

As shown in FIG. 2, the spring loader apparatus 27 is readily mountable on an upright support post 29 and an adjacent wall 31 of the mechanism 12. The support posts 29 are each provided with one of the wheels 21 rotatably connected thereto engageable with the top surface of the respective guide rails 14 and 15. More specifically, the spring loader apparatus 27 includes an attachment frame assembly 32 secured to the planer mechanism 12; a main housing 34 pivotally connected to the attachment frame assembly 32; a spring housing assembly 36 telescopingly mounted within the main housing 34; and a cam yoke assembly 38 attached to the main housing 34 engageable with the spring housing assembly 36 as will be explained.

The attachment frame assembly 32 includes a U-shaped housing 41 having parallel upright legs 43 and 44 interconnected by an upper base plate 45 having outer flange sections 47 about the periphery of the upper base plate 45 and the one leg 43 which are attachable as by welding to the respective support post 29 and support wall 31 of the slab planer mechanism 12. The upright legs 43 and 44 are provided with a pair of spaced aligned openings to receive a connector shaft 50 for attachment of the main housing 34 thereto as will become obvious. The connector shaft 50 is held against axial movement relative to the legs 43 and 44 by an enlarged head portion 52 at one end and a pin member 54 inserted through a transverse opening 55 in the opposite end which is extended laterally of the leg 44.

The main housing 34 includes an upright main body 56 of substantially square shape in transverse cross section having laterally extended parallel flange members 58 with aligned holes 60 therein adapted to receive the connector shaft 50 for pivotal movement thereabout as will be explained. An upper end of the tubular main body 56 is closed as by a heavy duty reaction plate 62 welded thereto having a centrally positioned hole 63 therethrough. The lower end of the main body 56 is provided with laterally extended connector flanges or tabs 64 projecting in the same direction as the upper flange members 58. Each connector tab 64 is provided with an opening 65 alignable with a hole 67 in the leg 44 of the attachment frame which is also extended through the adjacent support post 29 adapted to receive a lock T-bolt member 68 therethrough as shown in FIG. 2 for anchoring purposes to be explained.

The spring housing assembly 36 includes a spring tube member 70; a compression spring 72 mounted within the tube member 70; and a roller assembly 73 connected to the tube member 70. The spring tube member 70 is substantially square shape in transverse cross section adapted to be telescopingly received within the main body 56 of the main housing 34 having the upper end closed as by a compression plate 74. The lower end of the tube member 70 rotatably supports the roller assembly 73 thereon. The roller assembly 73 includes a roller member 75 anchored to an inside leg 77 of the tube member 70 by a shaft 78 extended through an opening 80 and held thereon as by a lock nut 82.

The cam yoke assembly 38 includes a yoke member 84 pivotally connected to a pair of cam members 86 mounted between the undersurface of the reaction plate 62 and the compression plate 74 having a spring connector assembly 87 extended therebetween as shown in FIG. 3.

The spring connector assembly 87 includes an upright tension rod member 88 having its lower end secured to a base plate 89 to support the spring 72 mounted between the same and the lower surface of the compression plate 74. The tension rod member 88 is extended through an opening 91 in the compression plate 74 and the hole 63 in the reaction plate 62 of the main housing 34. A nut member 95 is secured to the upper end of the tension rod member 88 in engagement with a washer 96 against the upper surface of the reaction plate 62. As shown in FIG. 3, it is seen that the compression spring 72 acts against the lower base plate 89 of the connector assembly 87 and the spring housing assembly 36 to urge the roller member 75 upwardly into engagement with a lower surface of the leg 23 of the guide rail 15. Therefore, as the nut member 95 is threaded downwardly on the upper end of the tension rod member 88, the compression of the spring 72 is increased so as to achieve a greater compression force between the roller member 95 and the wheel members 21.

The yoke member 84 is of a generally U-shaped having parallel leg sections 98 interconnected by an upper handle section 99. The leg sections 98 are provided with aligned generally square openings 101, each adapted to receive one of the cam members 86 therein. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 each cam member 86 is provided with an outer shaft portion 103 integral with a cylindrical section 105 which, in turn, adjoins an integral cam portion 107 being of a generally egg shape. The maximum dimension of the cam portion 107 is provided with parallel flat surfaces 109 for stability in this direction as will become obvious. The shaft portions 103 are of generally square shape adapted to fit snugly within the openings 101 in the respective leg sections 98 of the cam yoke 84 and secured by lock pins 108 so that the cam members 86 are rotatable on pivotal movement of the cam yoke 84 as will be explained. The cylindrical sections 105 are mounted in oblong openings in the main housing 34 for rotation about the axis of the shaft portions 103. The oblong openings have the greatest dimension along a vertical axis so that the cam yoke assembly 38 is movable therein on rotation of the cam portion 107.

In the use and operation of the spring loader apparatus 27 of this invention, it is obvious that any desired number of respective apparatus may be attached to any type of machine such as the slab mechanism 12. The attachment frame 32 is readily securable to a respective machine mechanism as by bolts, welding. or the like so as to place the roller assembly 73 into engagement with respective guide rails 14 or 15 or any similar. well-anchored support base structure. As shown in FIG. 4, the yoke member 84 may be pivotally movable substantially to the horizontal position whereupon the cam member 86 is moved to place the cam portion 107 with its widest dimension into contact with the reaction plate 62 and the compression plate 74 to move the entire spring housing assembly 36 downwardly. It is seen that this causes the roller member 75 to be spaced downwardly from the undersurface of the support leg 23 of the guide rail 15 whereupon the entire interconnected main housing 34 and spring housing assembly 36 may be pivotal about the connector shaft 50 as shown in FIG. 5. This releases the entire reaction force load of the spring loader apparatus 27 from the guide rail 15 whereupon the machine mechanism 12 may be removed therefrom as required.

Conversely, on attachment of the spring loader apparatus 27 to the guide rail 15, the same may be moved downwardly to the position of FIG. 4 whereupon the yoke member 84 is moved upwardly to rotate the cam member 86 and cam portion 107 so that the minimum dimension extends vertically whereby the roller member 75 engages the undersurface of the guide rail 15 under force of the spring 72 as shown in FIG. 3. Additionally, the T-bolt member 68 is placed through the aligned holes in the attachment flanges 47 and the adjacent support post 29 to prevent lateral movement. It is obvious that the amount of reaction load achieved from the spring loader apparatus 27 can be readily adjusted by rotation of the lock nut to regulate compression of the spring 72. The spring loader apparatus 27 may be provided with various sizes of compression springs to provide the required force whether using the same as a drive mechanism or as a reaction-against grinding and/or cutting operations.

As will be apparent from the foregoing description of the applicants spring loader apparatus, relatively inexpensive means are provided to create a reaction load during a given machining operation. As readily apparent from the description, the spring loader apparatus is easy to use, rigid and simple construction, readily adjustable, and requires little, if any, maintenance. 9

While the invention has been described in conjunction with preferred specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that this description is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which id is defined by the following claims.

lclaim:

l. A loader apparatus connected between a support base and a machine mechanism mounted on the support base, comprismg:

a. frame means secured to said machine mechanism;

b. loader means having a main housing assembly, a yoke assembly, and a spring housing assembly connected to said housing assembly through said yoke assembly;

c. means connecting said loader means to said frame means;

d. said spring housing assembly including a main body, a spring member engageable with said yoke assembly and said main body to bias same upwardly, and rollermeans engageable with said support base to bias said machine mechanism downwardly to apply a reaction against the support base;

e. said yoke assembly including a yoke member pivotal relative to said housing assembly connected to a cam member; and

. said cam member mounted between and in contact with said housing assembly and said main body operable to selectively connect and release said roller means from contact with said support base under force of said spring member.

2. A loader apparatus described in claim 1, wherein:

a. said main body of generally tubular shape in transverse cross section telescopingly mounted within said housing assembly having said yoke assembly mounted therein;

b. said biasing means having a compression spring mounted in said main body; and

c. said yoke assembly including a nut member mounted on said tension rod to regulate the axial movement thereof and resultant force of said compression spring to provide an upwardly biasing movement of said roller means against the support base to provide the downward reaction force of said machine mechanism against the upper surface of the support base.

3. A loader apparatus described in claim 1. wherein:

a. said housing assembly including a support body member of tubular shape in transverse cross section, laterally extended flanges secured to said support body member connected to said frame means, a reaction plate connected to t. the upper portion of said body member;

b. said yoke assembly including a member mounted between said reaction plate and an upper portion of said main body operable to maintain a separation therebetween, and said cam member connected to a yoke member for pivotal movement;

c. said housing means having a compression spring mounted in said main body;

d. said yoke assembly further including a tension rod member extended through said reaction plate and said main body having a lower end engageable with said compression spring, and said compression spring having its other end mounted against said body to urge said roller means upwardly into contact with said support base; and

e. said yoke member movable to rotate said cam member to regulate the separation of said main body and said reaction plate thereby moving said roller means into and out of contact with the support base.

4. A loader apparatus as described in claim 3, including a lock bolt member engageable with said housing assembly and said machine mechanism to lock said loader means in upright position to assure engagement with the support base.

5. A loader apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein:

a. said cam member of a generally egg shape rotatable substantially from minimum to maximum dimensions; and

b. said maximum dimension having substantially parallel surfaces whereupon contact with said main body and said reaction plate results in substantial stability.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION patent 3 587 Dated February 2 1971 r fl Cordis W. Jones It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 5 line 3, after "a" insert tension rod engagable with said housing assembly having a lower portion thereof engagable with said compression spring and the upper end of said spring mounted against said main body, said yoke assembly including a line 16 after "a" insert cam Column 6 line 5 after "said" first occurrence insert main Signed and sealed this 29th day of June 1971 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M. FLETCHER,JR. WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, .j Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patent FORM PO-1OS0 (10-69) USCOMM-DC 6037 

1. A loader apparatus connected between a support base and a machine mechanism mounted on the support base, comprising: a. frame means secured to said machine mechanism; b. loader means having a main housing assembly, a yoke assembly, and a spring housing assembly connected to said housing assembly through said yoke assembly; c. means connecting said loader means to said frame means; d. said spring housing assembly including a main body, a spring member engageable with said yoke assembly and said main body to bias same upwardly, and roller means engageable with said support base to bias said machine mechanism downwardly to apply a reaction against the support base; e. said yoke assembly including a yoke member pivotal relative to said housing assembly connected to a cam member; and f. said cam member mounted between and in contact with said housing assembly and said main body operable to selectively connect and release said roller means from contact with said support base under force of said spring member.
 2. A loader apparatus described in claim 1, wherein: a. said main body of generally tubular shape in transverse cross section telescopingly mounted within said housing assembly having said yoke assembly mounted therein; b. said biasing means having a compression spring mounted in said main body; and c. said yoke assembly including a nut member mounted on said tension rod to regulate the axial movement thereof and resultant force of said compression spring to provide an upwardly biasing movement of said roller means against the support base to provide the downward reaction force of said machine mechanism against the upper surface of the support base.
 3. A loader apparatus described in claim l, wherein: a. said housing assembly including a support body member of tubular shape in transverse cross section, laterally extended flanges secured to said support body member connected to said frame means, a reaction plate connected to the upper portion of said body member; b. said yoke assembly including a member mounted between said reaction plate and an upper portion of said main body operable to maintain a separation therebetween, and said cam member connected to a yoke member for pivotal movement; c. said housing means having a compression spring mounted in said main body; d. said yoke assembly further including a tension rod member extended through said reaction plate and said main body having a lower end engageable with said compression spring, and said compression spring having its other end mounted against said body to urge said roller means upwardly into contact with said support base; and e. said yoke member movable to rotate said cam member to regulate the separation of said main body and said reaction plate thereby moving said roller means into and out of contact with the supPort base.
 4. A loader apparatus as described in claim 3, including a lock bolt member engageable with said housing assembly and said machine mechanism to lock said loader means in upright position to assure engagement with the support base.
 5. A loader apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein: a. said cam member of a generally egg shape rotatable substantially 90* from minimum to maximum dimensions; and b. said maximum dimension having substantially parallel surfaces whereupon contact with said main body and said reaction plate results in substantial stability. 